St. Teresa’s Hispanic Ministry worked together with other ministries to put together an Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration on December 7. A Mariachi band helped to round out the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Dancing, part of the Aztec culture, was originally performed to render tribute to its gods. After the arrival of the Spaniards, and the conversion of the Aztecs to Christianity the dancing continued for benefit of the Christian evangelization.

After Mary appeared, the natives were able to identify themselves with her and Catholic evangelization occurred among the indigenous peoples.

After the dancing, with Our Lady of Guadalupe at the head of the procession, the parish community gathered and processed along a candlelit sidewalk into church for Mass.

The Mass celebrated by Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM, Conv. was dedicated to Maria. Fr. Carlos Pinzón, OFM (above) spoke in his homily of Mary as the Mother of God and as an example for all to be the Light of Christ.